IceDogs’ Stars Shine in Spotlight

By Terry Doyle

 

Two members of the Niagara IceDogs found themselves under the spotlight during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in the summer – and that spotlight continues to shine this fall.

 

Ryan Strome and Dougie Hamilton had the honour of being first round NHL draft choices – Strome to the New York Islanders and Hamilton chosen by the Boston Bruins.

 

Over the past year both players, along with many others, have gone through a whirlwind of hockey action. Dating back to January – the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, OHL regular season and playoffs, the NHL Combine and Draft, training camps, more OHL regular season and most recently the Subway Super Series.

 

The series provided them with the opportunity to suit up alongside Dougie’s brother and teammate Freddie Hamilton to showcase their skills for Hockey Canada scouts with the trio combining for 10 points for Team OHL in the series including a Player of the Game performance by Freddie with a hat-trick and assist as part of a 10-7 win over Russia in Ottawa.  2011 Team Canada goaltender Mark Visentin also represented the IceDogs in the series.

 

“Things happen so quickly, it feels like the hockey never stopped – it’s been great,” said Strome, chosen fifth overall by the Islanders in June. “It feels like just yesterday I was in my draft year and getting excited for the scouts and having the big draft. Now I’m on the other side of the ball trying to help some of the young guys in Niagara and enjoy the experiences.”

 

Hamilton’s selection by the Bruins with the ninth pick of the draft was just one stop along a busy 2011.

 

“I don’t even remember all that stuff that’s happened already – it’s just kind of flying by,” added Hamilton, who was named Team OHL captain for the Subway Super Series game in Sault Ste. Marie. “It’s all fun though so it’s all enjoyable and just kind of keeping a smile on my face and enjoying it.”

 

Despite being one of the bigger defencemen in the Ontario Hockey League, Hamilton was towered over at Boston Bruins training camp, but gained a mentor along the way.

 

“I was paired with (Zdeno) Chara for the week and he took me under his wing and helped me out through the drills and the practices,” explained Hamilton. “Obviously he’s one of the best defencemen in the world so for me I looked up to him and learned and soaked it all in and enjoyed that.”

 

Strome’s training camp experience with the Islanders gave him a taste of what it would be like to achieve his goal of playing in the National Hockey League

 

“They treat you like gold, they do with all their players,” Strome added. “It shows how much they care about you, and how much they want you to be apart of their future. They’ve invested a lot of time in me and I’m very thankful for that.”

 

Both Strome and Hamilton are expected to be on Hockey Canada’s radar for the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta as both were part of the summer development camp. While the anxiety of the NHL Draft is behind them, they are now left to wonder whether they will play for Team Canada this holiday season.

 

“There’s obviously a little bit of pressure off (from the draft) and now the World Juniors to look forward to,” said Strome. “It never ends, there’s always something to look forward to…whether it’s the draft or the world juniors. It’s a great opportunity.”